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Hunter Johnson of Darlington selected to receive Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch Award

11/16/2016, 9:00am CST
By Travis Wilson

Wisconsin Sports Network and WisSports.net are happy to announce Darlington's Hunter Johnson as the 2016 recipient of the Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch Award as the most outstanding senior running back in Wisconsin, part of the WSN Senior Football Awards.

Johnson, who was a unanimous pick for the award, posted incredible production in limited time due to a season full of blowouts. On just 155 carries in 13 games, he has 2,076 yards (13.4 yards per carry) with 40 touchdowns, finding the end zone on one-third of his attempts. He's also scored touchdowns via reception, interception return, and kick return this year. Johnson has only seen action in the second half in a couple games this year, as the 24-20 win over Saint Mary's Springs in Level 4 was the only four-quarter game the team played.

Johnson is over 2,000 rushing yards for a second straight season, with 5,504 for his career entering the Division 6 title game. This marks the fourth straight championship game he's been involved in with the Redbirds.

A returning WFCA All-State choice, Johnson was also named the WFCA Offensive Player of the Year this season.

Finalists for the award were Johnson, Sam Altena of New Richmond, Nate Ihlenfeldt of Notre Dame, Preston Strasburg of Fort Atkinson, and Seth Wilson of Holmen.

Past winners of the award include Appleton North's Steve Lichtfuss (2009), Kenosha Bradford's Melvin Gordon (2010), Waunakee's Leo Musso (2011), Big Foot's Mason Dixon (2012), Saint Mary's Springs' Ike Floyd (2013), Waunakee's Troy Laufenberg (2014), and Kimberly's Blair Mulholland (2015).

The award is named after "Crazylegs" Hirsch, a legendary athlete from Wausau High School who later starred at both the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan. Hirsch spent 12 seasons in professional football, including nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams who moved him to end. His 1951 season is one of the greatest receiving years in NFL history. He caught 66 passes for a record 1495 yards and 17 touchdowns. The yardage mark wasn’t broken for 19 years while his 17 touchdowns tied the record and wasn’t broken until 1984. He later served as the Wisconsin athletic director from 1969 to 1987, overseeing a revival of UW athletics. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968. Hirsch passed away in 2004. 

The voting panel for the WSN Senior Football Awards consisted of:  Travis Wilson, WSN General Manager and Head Football Writer;  Norbert Durst, WSN Content Manager; Dennis Semrau, ESPN Madison; Justin Hull, WSCO The Score 95.3 in Appleton; JR Radcliffe, NOW Newspapers; Dan Barwick, WSN Contributor; Jason Cox, Eau Claire Leader-Telegram; Fan Vote

Tag(s): News Archive  News  Travis Wilson  Senior FB Awards